Written by Graeme on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021
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The Metropolitan Division in the NHL is expected to be the tightest division in terms of who is going to win it this season.
It’s the only division with no outright favourite, with the Hurricanes and Islanders tied at the top at most sportsbooks.
It says something about this division that the Penguins and Capitals aren’t even in the Top 3 spots for betting odds.
It’s going to be a great division to watch, and one where it is worth betting on the winner just for some year long excitement.
Here’s a quick average look at the odds:
Metropolitan Division Winner Betting Odds:
- Hurricanes: 3.90
- Islanders: 3.90
- Rangers 4.50
- Penguins: 6.50
- Capitals: 6.50
- Flyers: 10.00
- Devils: 16.00
- Blue Jackets: 126.00
Metropolitan Division Winner Betting Tips:
I am going with The New York Islanders to win the Metropolitan Division. I’m a big fan of Barry Trotz and I feel he has really helped their mentality here. There isn’t much different in this team than last season which is good – they added Parise and Chara notably.
Their consistency is excellent, they can put the winning streaks together, and they looked excellent in the playoffs last year. There were some rough battles and they came through two of them, and took Tampa all the way.
Best odds on Islanders to Win the Division:
Canada: 4.00 Odds at Bovada.
Everyone Else: 4.00 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Metropolitan Division Winner Betting Analysis
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina topped the Central Division last year which was a tough division with Tampa and the Panthers. They are a team that have dominated the top of the advanced metrics for the last 5 years approximately, and it’s good to see that translate better on the ice.
They made some very interesting moves in the off-season and have some real young quality in the offense.
My big concern for them is the changes in defense and goaltending. Lot of big changes and risks there. I do hope Freddie has a good year but losing Hamilton could be a big loss.
I think Carolina will struggle to begin the season but get clicking eventually. I think we will see them end up 3rd or 4th in the division.
Best odds on Hurricanes to Win the Division:
Canada: 5.50 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +450 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 5.50 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
New York Rangers
Rangers are that team where I feel you look at them, think yeah they can likely make the playoffs but won’t do too much else. They’ve got a good mix of youth and veterans and quality throughout. New head coach in Gerard Gallant.
It just feels they lack the depth for the entire season. I think they’ll make the playoffs but I don’t think they will be topping the division.
Best odds on Rangers to Win the Division:
Canada: 6.00 Odds at Bovada.
Everyone Else: 5.00 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins will start the season without Crosby and Malkin. That’s tough. Penguins are one of those teams where injuries and big adjustments seem to affect them as well. I remember sharing a graph last year showing their advanced metrics and how one big change resulted in such a negative difference for them.
Then you have Tristan Jarry who is coming off a rather weak season, and just piss poor playoffs unfortunately. I just don’t know if he can step up and I think unless they do something there – well I expect we’ll be backing a lot of Penguins overs this season.
Best odds on Penguins to Win the Division:
Canada: 6.50 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
USA: +500 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 6.50 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Washington Capitals
With the Caps it’s all the same core pretty much so we know what to expect. If you’re looking for an underdog team to win this division, Capitals are probably the best bet.
Goaltending is an issue with them still. Personally I quite like Samsonov and Vanecek and think they will have better seasons here. But we’ll see it how it goes.
Capitals are that team that you can just never count out and so if I were to bet on an underdog to win this is who it would be. If this is the year they really have that expected decline so be it – but people have been projecting that for years now.
At these odds, I don’t hate a bet on them at all.
Best odds on Capitals to Win the Division:
Canada: 7.75 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +675 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 7.75 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Philadelphia Flyers
Despite struggles last season, Flyers have a fair amount of talent in there and made some big moves in the off-season. They need Carter Hart to step up this season for sure but Flyers also made a lot of defensive moves in the off-season.
I’m hoping Hart has a better season this year. Last year could easily be an anomaly for him. Even if he does though I just can’t see this team winning the division.
Best odds on Flyers to Win the Division:
Canada: 10.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
USA: +800 Odds at Bovada.
Everyone Else: 10.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
New Jersey Devils
Lot of optimism for the Devils this season with a couple of nice moves in Dougie and Tatar.
They’ve got the potential talent there but man we know how the Devils can be. It’s easy to get so optimistic with this team then they just blow the spot. Hamilton doesn’t have that partner to really get the best out of him.
Just can’t see the Devils being worth even an underdog bet honestly but I do hope they contend this year.
Best odds on Devils to Win the Division:
Canada: 18.00 Odds at Bovada.
Everyone Else: 17.00 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Columbus Blue Jackets
I wonder if Laine is regretting that move. The Jackets just don’t look good at all and it’s hard to even have any optimism over them. The downfall if the Jackets is not good to see.
They just don’t have a solid top line at all. I’m sure they will be scrappy and play upset quite a bit but this looks like a team just begging for the lottery pick.
Best odds on Blue Jackets to Win the Division:
Canada: 126.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
USA: +10000 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 126.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
(Odds correct as of 2021/10/12 10:59:54 AM EST but are subject to change.)
